About 30 percent of Miami undergrads are involved in the university's more than 50 fraternity and sorority chapters.

The start of the spring semester is marked by rush, which brings together thousands of students hoping to get a bid to join their favorite organization.

As of Tuesday, the process was complete for sororities, but it usually extends beyond this week for fraternities.

In response to allegations, the Office of Ethics and Student Conflict Resolution issued an edict that pledging be completed by Friday. No other suspensions or restrictions were put on sororities or fraternities involving the rush or initiation processes.

The office is currently formally reviewing the cases.

Once reviewed, each case is taken through a formal hearing process that is conducted by the office and a panel of faculty and students.

Organizations and students can appeal the decision to a board made up of students and faculty.

Miami University released this statement in response:

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The success of our students is paramount at Miami University. The Greek system is among many co-curricular programs providing leadership opportunities for thousands of students. The university is committed to ensuring both the positive growth of each fraternity and sorority member during their time as a Miami student and, most important, their health and safety. Over the past few weeks we received reports related to the fraternity new-member process that have led to serious concerns, and we are thoroughly investigating all of them.

Miami does not tolerate hazing. Behaviors that endanger the health or safety of others violate the values of our fraternal organizations as well as of the university.

Among steps taken in response to those negative behaviors is that the student-led Interfraternity Council, with full support from Miami University, is requiring chapters to initiate their new members by Friday, Feb. 26. By ending the new-member process for this spring earlier than scheduled, our fraternity community will be able to communicate expectations and monitor behaviors more quickly.